How To Get Worms, Pt 1
Nov 24, 2018I've been a fisherman since I was 6 years old, and have tried many, many angling styles. In the last few years, I've gone almost exclusively into fly fishing, and it is my favorite style of all. But the one thing that has eluded me is fishing soft plastic baits for bass.
I've always steered away from the practice, but, I've changed that over the last few years. I try to commit myself to one type of lure or fly each season, and before my wife passed away, I eased into the world of, "PVC worms and craws."
Once that path was entered, I had to figure out some details.
Confusion and Benefits
If I've found out anything in researching this particular topic, it is just how many baits and colors are available. It is confusing, to say the least. But I feel it's worth the effort, because PVC baits are effective. My thinking came down to this:
If I specialize in it, or at least make it part of my routine, I might do a number of things:
1. Reduce the number of lures I use, overall
If I specialize in it, or at least make it part of my routine, I might do a number of things:
1. Reduce the number of lures I use, overall
PVC worms and craws can probably cover 50% of ALL the bass-specific fishing I'm liable to do outside of fly fishing. Some might say even more.
2. Avoid, ”Latest and Greatest” mania
Focus, Information Shared
It is NOT my own, “guide secrets,“ or tricks I've learned from decades of fishing PVC baits.
It is not a scholarly work, either, and I didn't always save the source information - a lot of it goes back a long way into my files and I'm unsure just where it came from.
I'm also not selling it for profit.
In short, it is information I intend to use to my advantage and which I am sharing on my own blog... as a good way to keep it organized.
You could just as easily find this same information, yourself, and spend hours compiling it, yourself.
Or you sit back, read, and enjoy it. Copy and paste it, too, if you want.
Whatever.
I love choices, don't you?
What Color Is Your Worm?
When it comes to soft-plastic worms, I've focused on simple everyday combinations of colors and worm styles that others use successfully.
And one thing soon becomes obvious when looking at worm colors - there is a confusing rainbow to choose from.
But I wanted to have a starting place. Someday, when I get the hang of things, I can get frilly with color.
The Rules of The Thumb
There are many theories about the best worm colors to use. But I'm interested in a Rule of Thumb, or maybe two. So here are the ones I've selected:
Rule #1
For example, Tom Mann, the founder of Mann's Bait, changed the world of plastic worms with his Jelly Worms.
But, while Mann still holds the record for most soft-plastic worms sold, he is famous for saying...
"I find that a blackberry (dark purple), strawberry (darkish red), or blueberry (dark blue) are probably the three colors that I favor the most, under any conditions... but I don't think you can go wrong using a black worm. I will fish any color worm, as long as it is black."
Bill Dance, in his book, "There He Is," says, "Any color will work - as long as it is blue."
These guys are also experts, which I am not. Presentation, depth, and location are probably more important than color, and they could probably catch fish on an old coffee filter.
But it gives me a place to start.
The Chart
Color Notes
- Black
If we go by the numbers of a single worm color sold as the measure of effectiveness, then black is probably the best.
And I find it hard to argue with Tom Mann... it's probably safe to go with basic black.
Black works well in all colors and clarity of water, and it closely mimics the color of some favorite bass foods such as leeches.
What is there to say about black?
When in doubt, go black.
- Pumpkin, or Pumpkinseed
Lizards in a new color called "pumpkinseed," from Zoom Bait Company, took the fishing world by storm in the late 1980s.
How it got the name is a mystery to me. It is really just a murky, burnt-orange brown, with black flecks. Honestly, it looks a little like actual pumpkins, but nothing like pumpkin seeds.
Rumor has it that it was discovered accidentally when someone mixed the wrong colors.
Palmetto Fly n Fish
Thanks so much for reading, and...
Tight Lines,
David Hutton
© All rights reserved, David Hutton/Palmetto Fly N Fish 2018/2024
2. Avoid, ”Latest and Greatest” mania
This should increase my focus, and hopefully my success. Remember the old saying that says, “Don't gunfight with the man who owns only one gun”?
Same idea here.
3. I might save some money
Same idea here.
3. I might save some money
As fishermen, we like tell ourselves that we can save money on this-or-that, but this is often us fooling ourselves.
And I resist spending a ton of money on fishing stuff.
But with one name-brand crankbait costing between $5 and $10, these days, compared to a bag of PVC worms or craws at $1 - $5... well, there's really no comparison
And there's usually 10 or 20 of them in there!
4. I can (potentially) catch a lot of fish
And I resist spending a ton of money on fishing stuff.
But with one name-brand crankbait costing between $5 and $10, these days, compared to a bag of PVC worms or craws at $1 - $5... well, there's really no comparison
And there's usually 10 or 20 of them in there!
4. I can (potentially) catch a lot of fish
Soft plastic baits probably account for more bass caught than any other style.
This has a lot to do with the fact that they are extremely popular, and possibly still account for more lures cast into the water than any other type lure.
Plus, fish like bass eat that which looks like something to eat..., and soft plastic lures do that as well, or better, that any other type.
This has a lot to do with the fact that they are extremely popular, and possibly still account for more lures cast into the water than any other type lure.
Plus, fish like bass eat that which looks like something to eat..., and soft plastic lures do that as well, or better, that any other type.
=============
"I will fish any color worm,
as long as it is black."
- Tom Mann
- Tom Mann
============
Obviously, I'm overlooking about a thousand other baits, from umbrella rigs, to twirling spinnerbaits. But, that's the point. My aim is to focus on just a few things, here.
Worms FIRST, craws second, and swimbaits last.
To that end, I've compiled a lot of information along this line.
Now, lets be clear: this is information from easily accessed sources on the internet.
I've compiled those pieces I want to use.
Worms FIRST, craws second, and swimbaits last.
To that end, I've compiled a lot of information along this line.
Now, lets be clear: this is information from easily accessed sources on the internet.
I've compiled those pieces I want to use.
It is NOT my own, “guide secrets,“ or tricks I've learned from decades of fishing PVC baits.
It is not a scholarly work, either, and I didn't always save the source information - a lot of it goes back a long way into my files and I'm unsure just where it came from.
I'm also not selling it for profit.
In short, it is information I intend to use to my advantage and which I am sharing on my own blog... as a good way to keep it organized.
You could just as easily find this same information, yourself, and spend hours compiling it, yourself.
Or you sit back, read, and enjoy it. Copy and paste it, too, if you want.
Whatever.
I love choices, don't you?
What Color Is Your Worm?
When it comes to soft-plastic worms, I've focused on simple everyday combinations of colors and worm styles that others use successfully.
And one thing soon becomes obvious when looking at worm colors - there is a confusing rainbow to choose from.
- This is good, because it gives you plenty of choices.
- This is bad, because it can be hard to make any choice at all.
But I wanted to have a starting place. Someday, when I get the hang of things, I can get frilly with color.
The Rules of The Thumb
There are many theories about the best worm colors to use. But I'm interested in a Rule of Thumb, or maybe two. So here are the ones I've selected:
Rule #1
- Darker colors are best for fishing dark, murky waters ... usually
- Lighter colors are best for clearer waters where light penetration is good...usually.
- Make the lure look as natural as possible
For example, Tom Mann, the founder of Mann's Bait, changed the world of plastic worms with his Jelly Worms.
But, while Mann still holds the record for most soft-plastic worms sold, he is famous for saying...
"I find that a blackberry (dark purple), strawberry (darkish red), or blueberry (dark blue) are probably the three colors that I favor the most, under any conditions... but I don't think you can go wrong using a black worm. I will fish any color worm, as long as it is black."
Bill Dance, in his book, "There He Is," says, "Any color will work - as long as it is blue."
These guys are also experts, which I am not. Presentation, depth, and location are probably more important than color, and they could probably catch fish on an old coffee filter.
But it gives me a place to start.
The Chart
Take a look at this chart - this is the nitty gritty.
I don't know where I got it, but it is a sort of cornerstone for my initial color choices.
It is simple, and it arranges basic colors by water clarity and light penetration. That seems a good way to go, so I'm running with it.
Color Notes
- Black
If we go by the numbers of a single worm color sold as the measure of effectiveness, then black is probably the best.
And I find it hard to argue with Tom Mann... it's probably safe to go with basic black.
Black works well in all colors and clarity of water, and it closely mimics the color of some favorite bass foods such as leeches.
What is there to say about black?
When in doubt, go black.
- Pumpkin, or Pumpkinseed
Lizards in a new color called "pumpkinseed," from Zoom Bait Company, took the fishing world by storm in the late 1980s.
How it got the name is a mystery to me. It is really just a murky, burnt-orange brown, with black flecks. Honestly, it looks a little like actual pumpkins, but nothing like pumpkin seeds.
Rumor has it that it was discovered accidentally when someone mixed the wrong colors.
Nevertheless, it is still great and was the basis for other colors, such as green pumpkin. But once fishermen started using worms and other baits in pumpkinseed, they proved surprisingly successful.
- Green Pumpkin
This is another all-around color that works in any color water. In it's basic tone, it is what I'd call a dark sage green, with black flecks. It seems to be the third "standard color" for worms and craws, after black and pumpkinseed.
Bass seem to love the color, and it looks natural in the water.
- Junebug
This is a dark purple color, almost black, with green metallic flakes to make it shine. It is a favorite of mine, and I would probably fill a box with baits in this one color, without rhyme or reason.
It is supposed to be especially good in clear water.
- Watermelon
In clear water, it is hard to beat this translucent, olive green color. You'd think it would blend in and disappear, but bass seem to find it easily. Red glitter is often added, to make it even better. Glitter in worms supposedly makes a big difference - and I like glitter.
- Plum/Dark Purple
This is another old school color, and has been a favorite for many years. Just ask Tom Mann.
It has been a favorite of bass since the 1970s.
- Blue
Hey, Bill Dance likes blue, so it has to be good, right?
Basic blue is another good color in most waters. Add a red tail and some say it really shines. A contrasting color tail on any worm just seems like a good idea.
- Red
This is not on the chart; I've added this one because I have about a hundred red worms I got for $1 at a thrift shop.
Some are so dark, they are almost black.
Some have glitter
Some are two-toned
Some are strawberry red.
Supposedly, red is a good color in dingy water, which describes my fishing grounds from April to November. So red worms get fished, and they have caught fish for me.
FINAL COLOR NOTES
In clear water, slim, straight tailed worms are good. These fall a little faster and the fish can see them easily.
They are also good around woody tangles and heavy weed, since they slide through these better than twist-tail types.
In dingy to muddy water, opt for fatter worms with action tails. These produce more sub-surface vibrations, which the fish can feel before they see the actual bait.
Big Question: Is this the only way I can go?
Most certainly not!
But, it is a WAY to go.
It cuts out wasted time, agonizing over a zillion choices. It lets me plan ahead, and gives me something to work with, right now.
In part 2, I'll cover the half dozen or so worm styles I'll be working with and reveal the collection of worms and craw baits I have in my collection.
From there, I'll create a buy list of baits, hooks and weights to fill the various niches in my One Lure Experiment.
- Green Pumpkin
This is another all-around color that works in any color water. In it's basic tone, it is what I'd call a dark sage green, with black flecks. It seems to be the third "standard color" for worms and craws, after black and pumpkinseed.
Bass seem to love the color, and it looks natural in the water.
- Junebug
This is a dark purple color, almost black, with green metallic flakes to make it shine. It is a favorite of mine, and I would probably fill a box with baits in this one color, without rhyme or reason.
It is supposed to be especially good in clear water.
- Watermelon
In clear water, it is hard to beat this translucent, olive green color. You'd think it would blend in and disappear, but bass seem to find it easily. Red glitter is often added, to make it even better. Glitter in worms supposedly makes a big difference - and I like glitter.
- Plum/Dark Purple
This is another old school color, and has been a favorite for many years. Just ask Tom Mann.
It has been a favorite of bass since the 1970s.
- Blue
Hey, Bill Dance likes blue, so it has to be good, right?
Basic blue is another good color in most waters. Add a red tail and some say it really shines. A contrasting color tail on any worm just seems like a good idea.
- Red
This is not on the chart; I've added this one because I have about a hundred red worms I got for $1 at a thrift shop.
Some are so dark, they are almost black.
Some have glitter
Some are two-toned
Some are strawberry red.
Supposedly, red is a good color in dingy water, which describes my fishing grounds from April to November. So red worms get fished, and they have caught fish for me.
FINAL COLOR NOTES
In clear water, slim, straight tailed worms are good. These fall a little faster and the fish can see them easily.
They are also good around woody tangles and heavy weed, since they slide through these better than twist-tail types.
In dingy to muddy water, opt for fatter worms with action tails. These produce more sub-surface vibrations, which the fish can feel before they see the actual bait.
Big Question: Is this the only way I can go?
Most certainly not!
But, it is a WAY to go.
It cuts out wasted time, agonizing over a zillion choices. It lets me plan ahead, and gives me something to work with, right now.
In part 2, I'll cover the half dozen or so worm styles I'll be working with and reveal the collection of worms and craw baits I have in my collection.
From there, I'll create a buy list of baits, hooks and weights to fill the various niches in my One Lure Experiment.
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Writers should always strive for a job well done... even half-baked ones like me. So if you found value in this article, please like, comment, and share it.
Do you have questions, compliments, or suggestions?
If so, email me at...dahutist@gmail.com
Palmetto Fly n Fish
Thanks so much for reading, and...
Tight Lines,
David Hutton
© All rights reserved, David Hutton/Palmetto Fly N Fish 2018/2024
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